2022 Hajj:  FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline & Max to fly pilgrims out from today

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. has listed three airlines FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline and Max Air are to fly pilgrims out from today, Friday

This is as the agency assured pilgrims and the general public of her readiness to seamlessly conduct the 2022 hajj operations

Speaking during an inspection tour at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, FAAN, Managing Director, Rabiu Yadudu , stated that the 2022 hajj operations will kick off at Maiduguri on the 9th June, with 3 major carriers viz; FlyNas Airline, Azman Airline and Max Air already licensed to airlift pilgrims at Lagos and Abuja airports from Friday, June 10, 2022.

He said: “Pilgrims should get to the airport early to avoid missing their flights

“Every requirement aimed at ensuring the safety, security and comfortability of pilgrims have been met already.

“We are confidence that the hajj operations will be successful, as he wished all pilgrims a successful pilgrimage. FAAN remain committed to her core values of Safety, Security and Comfort.”

FG to clear shortchanging of passengers at airports

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

The Federal Government is making moves to clear any art of shortchanging passengers at airports, conducted a verification of measuring scales at the nation’s airports.

This is coming against the backdrop of complaints by travellers of being shortchanged following poor measuring facilities.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, FMITI, also advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to recalibrate some of the weighing machines across the various airports in the country.

The exercise was undertaken by the Weights and Measures Department of the FMITI at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Speaking at the sideline of the exercise, Director, Weights and Measures Department, FMITI, Mr Hassan Ejibunu, said that the exercise was in response to public complaints of alleged manipulation of weighing equipment at the airport.

In his words: “Travellers complain that their luggage that were weighed from home and shown to be within approved weights will weigh higher at the airport, and charged for excess luggage.

“Our department is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all commercial transactions involving measurement are fair, accurate and legal with a view to protecting consumers.

“A memo was sent to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to verify the weighing equipment at the airport.

“Beside complaints of being shortchanged, safety is involved.

“There’s a capacity that an airline should take because if there’s turbulence in the air, the pilot might not be able to control the aircraft.

“That’s why we are here at the airport to ensure that all the weighing instruments being used are fair and accurate and do not cause overload of aircraft.”

Ejibunu noted that the exercise was also to protect the interest of the travellers and assure them of accurate weighing.

“We have done a random sampling of the weighing equipment from number one to 62 and what we have seen so far is that they are within tolerable level. They are okay.

“So, members of the public should discontinue the notion of being shortchanged whenever they come to the airport,” he said.

He, however, advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to recalibrate some of the weighing machines whose edges fell short of accurate measurement.

“When we placed our dead weight of 20kg on the knife edge of some machines, they read 19.8, 19.2kg, which is not accurate. All edges should read 20kg,” he said.

The director noted that after recaliberating the machines, FAAN should invite the weights and measures department for verification and certification.

Ejibunu noted that weighing scales bearing the department’s certification sticker would instil confidence of fairness and accuracy in travellers.

FCT hands over 12,000 hectares to Aviation Ministry

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Musa Bello has handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for 12,000 hectares of land in Abuja to Aviation Ministry.

The 12,000 hectares of land is for the actualisation of the aviation roadmap projects of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was handed over to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

According to the Director-Planning Research and Statistics of the Federal Ministry of Aviation who represented the Minister, Engr. Mohammed Kabiru Shehu, said one of the key projects to be executed on the land is the second Runway project for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The MD/CE expressed appreciation to the Buhari led Administration and the Hon. Minister of Aviation for promises kept.

The second Runway project was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria Limited (CCECC) and the site was handed over to the company on the aforementioned date.

Other projects that would be executed as part of the aviation roadmap include: Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Centre; Aviation Leasing Company (ALC); Agro-Allied Cargo Terminals; Aerotropolis or Airport City; National Carrier; Africa Aerospace and Aviation University (AAAU); second Runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, amongst others.

Some of the benefits that would accrue to Nigeria at the completion of the projects are: employment opportunities for Nigerians; enhanced transfer of technology; increase in foreign exchange earnings/increase in GDP contribution; backward integration of aircraft maintenance and repair facilities for both domestic and international carriers; improvement in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria; reduction in capital flight; increase in Bilateral Air Services Agreements with other countries, amongst others.

Present at the hand over ceremony were the MD/CE-Capt. Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu represented by the Director of Human Resources-Honorius Anozie; Acting Director of Aerodrome Development of the Aviation Ministry Engr.C.Awogbami; Team Lead of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Executive Secretary-Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad; Regional General Manager (North Central)/Airport Manager,Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja – Kabiru Mohammed; other officials of the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN and FCDA amongst other dignitaries.

FG picks CCECC to construct N92bn second Abuja runway

FEDERAL Government has handed the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd, (CCECC), the construction site of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja second runway for N92 billion.

This was contained in a tweet by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Just Monday the Federal Capital Territory( FCT) made available a total of 12,000 hectares of land reserved in the land bank allocated for aviation facilities purposes of which the runway is part of.

The Abuja runway project is expected to be completed within the next 12 months.

The runway according to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika became necessary in view of the fact that it was as critical as the economy of the country

Proudly Nigerian: First Nigerian woman to fly Boeing 787

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

A Nigerian-born, Adeola Ogunmola, Sowemimo is the first Nigerian woman commercial pilot to fly with Qatar Airways.

The aviation industry is a typical example of such areas where the female gender has been under-represented in the past. However, Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo has presented herself as a true reflection of a woman who has succeeded in a profession that is dominated by the male gender.

Adeola, is the first Nigerian female Boeing 787 pilot and the first Nigerian female pilot to fly for Qatar Airways. The pilot is known for her focus and persistence which helped her rise to great heights and become a pioneer in her chosen field.

While we are still in the week of International Women’s Day, where the world celebrates women all over the globe and what they represent in the society, we take a look at the journey of Adeola Sowemimo as an inspiration for Nigerian and African females in “breaking the bias”.

Early academic career

Adeola Sowemimo hails from Oyo State. She was born on the 16th of October, 1990 in Kaduna State to the family of Ogunmola Ademola and Aweni Deborah Ogunmola as the last out of three children.

She attended four primary schools, starting out at Brighton International School Kaduna, after which she attended King International School Rigasa, Kaduna. From there, she attended First Baptist Church Primary School Kaduna.

She finished her primary education in the year 2000 at Temitope Nursery and Primary School in Ibadan after relocating due to the religious crisis in Kaduna at the time.

She started her secondary school education at Orita Mefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Oyo State before going back to Kaduna to finish at First Baptist Model High School Angwan Boro, Kaduna State in 2007.
Journey into aviation

After her secondary school education, she applied for a pre-degree course at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Oyo state, but couldn’t wrap up the course as she had to proceed to the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria Kaduna to start her standard aviation course.

She did her Standard Aviation Course from 2009 to 2010. In 2011 she concluded her standard pilot course at Sunrise Aviation Inc. Florida, USA.
After her course at Sunrise Aviation, she applied for a part-time course with LAUTECH to study Transport Management, where she has received her Bachelor’s degree

Career as a pilot

After her education, she went on to start what would become an impressive career. She joined Medview Airlines, a Nigerian airline based in Lagos in 2013 as a First Officer on Boeing 737 classic, and was later upgraded to Boeing 767-300ER.

In October 2018, she joined Qatar Airways and became the first Nigerian woman to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. She also flew the Boeing 767 Aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, and in November 2020 she started flying the new Qatar airways local Lagos to Abuja route.

She joins the league of other African history-making female pilots like Chinyere Kalu who was recorded as the first Nigerian female commercial pilot in 1978, Asli Hassan Abade of Somalia who had her first solo flight in 1976, Ghanaian Millicent Melody Danquah who flew solo for the first time in a de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft in 1964.

Adeola as a family woman

On the 22nd of April 2017, Captain Adeola got married to Seun Funmi Olamilekan Sowemimo, and she is blessed with children, making her an inspiration to women with families who also pursue their careers.

Upon being announced as a pilot for Qatar Airways she wrote on her Facebook, “It is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvelous in my sight”. She also posted a picture of her in Sunset Aviation school Florida which she captioned “Days of little beginning … God be praised #Ihavedominion”.

Her feat attracted the attention of Arunma Oteh, a former World Bank Vice-President who recognized the captain and tweeted “Congratulations Captain Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo, making Nigeria proud”

Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo is a trailblazer and an inspiration to all African women young and old alike. She has shown that regardless of race, if women work hard, they are capable of achieving incredible feats and would be recognized for their hard work and determination.

Stella Oduah gives NYSC 48hrs to retract alleged false

Just in : Non-completion of service: Oduah orders NYSC to retract allegation within 48 hours
 Forrmer Minister of Aviation and the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Stella Oduah has requested the National Youth Service Corps ,NYSC,  to retract the allegation that she did not complete her national service within 48 hours.
In the letter addressed to the Director General, National Youth Service Corps and titled, “48 Hours Notice to Retract Your Statement as Contained in Your Letter Dated 24th May 2022 Ref No. NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/VOL 111”, the Senator stated, “Our attention has been called to your scandalous letter referenced above in which you acknowledged that Senator Stella Oduah was mobilized for youth service in 1982 and served in the Lagos orientation camp but then concluded that she “absconded” and was not issued a certificate of discharge.”
The letter,  signed by Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, Director, Media/Publicity for Senator, Stella Oduah, described the allegation as reckless and stated, “That reckless statement which we consider grossly irresponsible no doubt suggests that it was procured from you for political considerations in favour of Sen. Oduah’s political detractors. We are shocked that you condescended so low to make such false and unverified conclusions which is damaging to her character and image”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Sen. Oduah’s NYSC place of primary assignment was the popular Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). When a similar allegation was made by her political contenders in 2017, NECA issued a letter dated 11th January 2017 Ref No: NECA/SELA/H4 confirming that she carried out her NYSC primary assignment with them.  Find attached a copy of that letter for reference as well as a photograph of our client as a youth corper “
“That issue also attended litigation and she has a court judgment in her favour in the case of Chinedu Emmanuel Emeka v. Princess Stella Oduah ,
EPT/AWK/SEN/13/2019″
“Ordinarily, one needs not be bothered about any other similar allegations in the light of the aforesaid judgment and the fact that NYSC is not a constitutional qualification to hold any public office in Nigeria, but your statement has to a large extent defamed her”
“In your exact words, ‘after the orientation course, she absconded’ It is curious how a person who had participated in all NYSC activities at the Orientation Camp can be said to have “absconded” because she left for her place of primary assignment as it was routine. It is either you chose to ignore your record or your office has failed to keep proper records.”
“You are by this letter given 48 hours to retract your statement failing which legal actions shall be commenced against you.”
“To reinforce the fact the distinguished Senator completed her NYSC, her picture where she was in her NYSC regalia was attached and a letter from NECA confirming that she served with the association.
“In fact, NECA wrote a letter dated January 11, 2017 with Ref: NECA/SELA/H4, signed by the Director General, O. A. Oshinowo and stated, “We hereby confirm that you carried out your NYSC primary assignment with NECA in 1982 during the tenure of Mr. Gabriel Okogwa (now of blessed memory). Our investigation did reveal that you were diligent and steadfast in the place of your duty.”
Ethiopian Airlines adds five 777s to Boeing fleet

By admin

 

 

ETHIOPIAN Airlines and longstanding partner, Boeing Inc. today announced the carrier is further expanding its all-Boeing freighter fleet with an order for five 777 Freighters.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew said ”The addition of these five B777 Frieghters into our cargo fleet will enable us to meet the growing demand in our cargo operation. While cementing our partnership with the Boeing Company with new orders, the growth of our freighter fleet takes the capacity and efficiency of our shipment service to the next level. We always strive to serve our customers with the latest technology aircraft the aviation industry could offer.

“Our Africa’s largest cargo terminal coupled with fuel efficient freighters and well trained cargo handling professionals will enable our customers get the best quality shipment service. Customers can rely on Ethiopian for wide-ranging cargo services across five continents.”

Boeing’s market-leading 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter currently flying with 17% lower fuel use and emissions compared to prior airplanes. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of nine 777 freighters, utilizing the range of 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 km) and maximum structural payload of 107 tonnes (235,900 lb) to connect Africa with 66 dedicated cargo centers throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services covers 127 international destinations around the world with both belly hold capacity and dedicated freighter services.

“We value the trust that Ethiopian Airlines places in the 777 Freighter to support their cargo ambitions which will provide them with increased capability and flexibility to their operations,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “Additional 777 Freighters will enable Ethiopian to capitalize on near-term cargo demand, while positioning the airline for further expansion in the future.”

In early March 2022, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the intent to purchase five 777-8 Freighters, the industry’s newest, most capable and most fuel-efficient twin-engine freighter. Ethiopian Airlines also operates three 737-800 converted freighters, as well as a combined passenger fleet of more than 80 Boeing jets including 737s, 767s, 787s and 777s

Domestic airlines to reschedule cancelled flights – AON

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

There is a strong indication that domestic airlines will reschedule cancel flights under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON) in spite of aviation fuel scarcity

The operators said this in a statement signed by AON Spokesman, Dr Obiora Okonkwo. The statement titled, ‘Public notice: Disruptions in flight operations’, yesterday ( Monday ) read : “The Airline Operators of Nigeria wish to alert the public of impending disruptions to scheduled flight operations of members of the association.”

” This development is being forced on members by the growing scarcity of aviation fuel popular as Jet-Al. The scarcity is impacting negatively on the seamless conduct of air transport operations and would lead to flight rescheduling, and, or, cancellations.”

“However, the association and its members are working very hard, and in alliance with product marketers, government and relevant stakeholders, to ensure availability and proper pricing of aviation fuel in the country.”

“While pleading the understanding of the flying public in the face of this reality, we also promise to do all that is necessary, and within our powers, to restore normal flight schedules as soon as possible,” the airlines Spokesman promised.

Recall, AON members had threatened to shut down flight two weeks ago due to the high cost of aviation fuel , popularly called Jet A1. But the intervention of the federal government and stakeholders made the members call off the planned action at the last minute.

Emirates posts $1.1bn loss, moves to improvement

By Favour Nnabugwu
 Emirates Group released its 2021 full-year results, reporting a loss of AED 3.8 billion ($1 billion) on total revenue of AED 66.2 billion ($18.1 billion).
In 2020-2021 (April-March), the group lost AED 22.1 billion ($6 billion) on revenue of AED 35.6 billion ($9.7 billion).
The Emirates result is a vast improvement from last year, with revenue jumping by 86 percent. However, there is still a long way to reach pre-COVID 2018/19 revenue of AED 109 billion and a profit of AED 2.3 billion. The airline closed the financial year with cash assets of AED 20.9 billion ($5.7 billion), 38 percent higher than at March 31, 2021.
Emirates continued to add more passenger and freight capacity during the year. It carried 19.6 million passengers, up from 6.6 million from last year, added its last five Airbus A380 aircraft and invested $2.2 billion in new aircraft.
By the end of March, all of Emirates’ Boeing B777s and half of its A380s had returned to service. Its fleet totaled 262 aircraft with an average age of 8.2 years, and another 197 aircraft, including 30 Boeing B787s, have been ordered.
The airline operates to more than 140 destinations, 29 with A380 aircraft. It reinforced strategic partnerships with Qantas and flydubai, widening travel choices to and from Dubai. Emirates also expanded partnerships with airlines, including Aeromar, airBaltic, Azul Airlines, South African Airways and TAP Air Portugal.
Chairman and chief executive of Emirates, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said this year focused on restoring operations, and the recovery picked up pace in the second half of the year.
“Robust customer demand drove a huge improvement in our financial performance compared to our unprecedented losses of last year and we built up our strong cash balance.”
Sheikh Ahmed expects the group to return to profitability in 2022-23 but is cautious of headwinds that could impact that. These are high fuel prices, inflation, new COVID variants and political and economic uncertainty.
Emirates SkyCargo contributed $5.9 billion or 40 percent of the airline’s transport revenue, a 27 percent increase over 2020/21. Emirates is adding two Boeing 777F Freighters and converting four existing B777-300ER aircraft into freighters, a total investment of $1 billion. The SkyCargo fleet operates ten Boeing B777F aircraft.
As flight and travel activity increased, so did the fortunes of dnata, which turned a profit of AED 110 million ($30 million). Its revenue jumped by 54 percent to $2.3 billion, with 62 percent coming from its international business. dnata saw good growth from airport operations, catering, travel services and its airport hospitality brand, marhaba. The catering arm uplifted more than 39.9 million meals, more than double the last year, as airlines across the world resumed operations.
Emirates has delivered a robust set of numbers, a pattern likely to be repeated as airlines produce their annual reports. Interestingly, everything is compared to 2020/21, which was such a low point that this year’s results were always going to improve.
With borders essentially reopened and travelers returning, the challenge for Emirates is to do better than it did in 2018/19. The coming twelve months will tell where the airline group is headed.
Onyema confers with National Productivity Order of Merit Award

Onyema receives National Productivity Order of Merit award

By Lawani Mikairu

The Chairman of Air Peace, Barrister Allen Onyema, has been conferred with a National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award by President Muhammadu Buhari .

The conferment took place today at the 19th National Productivity Day ceremony in Abuja.The award, within the Employers of Labour category, is in recognition of “Onyema’s giant strides in entrepreneurship, massive job creation and overall economic achievements”.

Other distinguished personalities in the same category are Mike Adenuga, Jim Ovia, Abdul Samad Rabiu and Chinedum Okereke.
Receiving the award, the aviation cognoscente thanked President Buhari and the Ministry of Labour headed by Senator Chris Ngige and reiterated his commitment to the Nigerian project.

He said he would continue to use his entrepreneurship to impact Nigera’s economy and carry out more social impact initiatives, adding that “Nigeria is our country and we all must do all we can to take her to greater heights’.

Recall while speaking to journalists in Abuja at an event to herald the NPOM Award ceremony, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award was a positive step by government to ” institutionalise productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organisations in Nigeria towards redirecting their efforts to the growth and development of our economy”.

Ngige also said the other objectives of the Award are to ” reward the most productive workers and organisations in both public and private sectors for diligence, high performance, high productivity and research achievements.

” To also encourage and foster the spirit of healthy competition amongst workers, firms and companies in Nigeria, and encourage the spirit of self-reliance.”